November 2016 BIE SAFETY ADVISOR What is Ergonomics?
Construction?
Does this apply to Education and Training – Provide ergonomic training
for employees on how to recognize the primary
ergonomic risk factors of Force, Repetition, and
Simply put, Ergonomics is fitting the task to the Posture. Educate personnel on the early symptoms of
person. Too often employees perform job tasks that WMSDs and the proper procedures for reporting
expose them to potential injuries due to poor design of and/or recording them. Encourage early reporting of
workspace or tools they are using. Ergonomics symptoms.
involves the assessment of job tasks to identify
ergonomic risk factors and appropriate controls to How Do I Control Ergonomic Hazards?
reduce or eliminate the identified risk factors. There are simple things that employers can implement
Generally, ergonomic changes are made to improve the and workers can do to reduce ergonomic stress, such
fit between the demands of the job tasks and the as:
capabilities of the employees.
- Use a buddy system or the proper lifting device to
carry heavy loads. To the extent feasible, use your legs
What are Ergonomic Risk Factors?
to push up and lift the load, not the upper body or back.
Ergonomic risk factors are characteristics of a job that Do not twist the body during a lift.
contribute to the creation of ergonomic stress on the - Design work activities so employees do not have to
body. Risk factors are present at varying levels for work on their knees. If the job requires it, use knee
different jobs and tasks. Generally, the greater the pads.
exposure to a single risk factor or combination of risk - Avoid repeatedly twisting the hands and wrists.
factors, the greater the probability of an ergonomic Provide proper hand tools that are designed to keep the
injury or illness or Work-Related Musculoskeletal hand and wrist in a comfortable, neutral position.
Disorders (WMSD). The big three ergonomic risk - Avoid stretching or unnecessary stress to do overhead
factors are Force (how much you lift/push/pull), work where possible. Adjust scaffolds to the
Repetition (how often you perform the task), and appropriate working height and use a lifting device to
Posture (body position). Other potential ergonomic risk hold drywall or other material in place for overhead
factors include vibration, contact stress, sustained work.
exertions, and cold temperatures.
- Use vibrating tools such as a jack-hammer or abrasive
wheel saw that are equipped with built-in vibration
The construction trades have many risk factors that dampers. Wear gloves to help absorb energy.
may cause WMSDs that are not always easy to - Use the appropriate tools such as hammers that are
identify. Some examples are masons with back designed to absorb shock and tools with handles that
problems due to the repeated lifting of cement block, aid in maintaining a neutral wrist position when used.
and carpenters with wrist problems due to repeated use - Rotate job tasks to reduce repetitiveness.
of a hammer.
Additional Resources:
What Can Employers Do?
The Center for Construction Research and Training Much like overall health and safety programs, effective http://www.cpwr.com/research/constructionergonomic programs utilize a systematic approach ergonomic-research-solutions
involving the following:
NIOSH- Simple Solutions Ergonomics for
Construction WorkersManagement Commitment and Employee Involvement http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-122
– Successful ergonomic programs have everyone
moving in the same direction working towards a
common set of goals. The full backing of management
is necessary which includes allocating resources and
time resolving identified issues.
Worksite Hazard Assessments – Establish an
ergonomic committee comprised of management and
employees to devote time to ergonomic issues.
Conduct assessments of job tasks to identify risk
factors, and identify jobs that are showing early signs
of, or are actually causing WMSDs.
Hazard Prevention and Control – Pursue equipment
purchases, workstation design, modified work
practices, and other tools that are designed to reduce or
eliminate ergonomic risk factors.
Prepared & Edited by Sue Zampella; Occupational Safety Consultants WWW.WORKRISKFREE.COM J
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5 Monthly Toolbox Talk BIE Safety Advisor Preventing Sprains And Strains
Tool Box Talk Source: OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable
Sprains and strains account for about a third of injuries in construction. A sprain is an injury to a ligament,
the tough, fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones. Sprain injuries involve a stretching or a tearing
of this tissue. Ankle, knee and wrist injuries account for the majority of sprains. A strain is an injury to
either a muscle or a tendon, the tissue that connects muscles to bones. Back injuries are the most prevalent
in regard to strains. Depending on the severity of the injury, a strain may be a simple overstretch
of the muscle or tendon, or it can result in a partial or complete tear.
These soft tissue injuries occur frequently, and are painful, disabling and often accompanied by lengthy
recovery periods. Maintaining good physical fitness is essential in avoiding sprains and strains.
To minimize the chances of sprains, observe the following practices:
1.
2.
3.
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6.
Practice safety measures to help prevent falls. For example, practice safe housekeeping by keeping
work areas clear of clutter.
Avoid strenuous activity on the job when tired or in pain.
Use extra caution when working on slippery surfaces such as ice or wet floors.
Always wear appropriate and proper fitting footwear for your job.
Use extra caution when walking across uneven surfaces. These are areas where you could easily
turn or twist an ankle or knee.
When stepping off ladders, always look where you are placing your feet, before you put your full
weight on them.
To minimize the possibility of incurring strains, observe the following practices:
1.
2.
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Be certain that you understand your employer’s Material Handling Safety program.
Whenever possible, arrange your work areas to minimize the amount of heavy lifting required.
Before any heavy lifting activity, always warm up, using moderate stretching exercises. Do not
stretch aggressively as you may over-stretch and injure yourself.
4. Always plan the lift. Consider the weight of the object; how far you must carry it and your route of
travel. When you approach an object on the floor, try to get an idea of how heavy it may be by
moving it with your foot or cautiously lifting it off the ground. If the object is too heavy, seek
additional help or use a mechanical lifting device such as a forklift, hand truck
or winch.
5. Lift objects in the “power zone”. This is the area between mid-thigh and midchest height. Avoid lifting objects outside this zone. Use your best judgment
when lifting heavy objects. Do not attempt to lift an object that exceeds your
strength, and use extreme caution when lifting objects exceeding 50 lbs.
6. Always carry objects close to your body.
7. Always lift slowly and smoothly.
8. Avoid twisting. Always turn the whole body as one unit when changing direction while carrying a
heavy object.
9. Move heavy objects by pushing or pulling, whenever possible. Pushing is always preferable.
10. Always stand close to the object that you are lifting and be certain that fingers and toes are clear
when setting it down.
11. Always lift with your legs and not your back.
Follow these helpful rules and you will greatly reduce the chance that you will experience a painful sprain
or strain.
Prepared & Edited by Sue Zampella; Occupational Safety Consultants WWW.WORKRISKFREE.COM J
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